LFU:online

Students will be enabled to understand the contributions of modern psychological research to morality, especially to the fabric of moral judgements. They will learn how ethics and moral psychology are related and how experimental research can provide insights into classical moral issues. Furthermore, the seminar will enable students to explore moral issues of modern technology and everyday life.

The seminars starts with an introduction into moral philosophy and gives an overview on the main philosophical schools of morality. In the following parts, modern moral psychology is disccussed. The focus is on Moral Foundation Theory as well as on research into bounded ethicality and happiness. Three main issues will be adressed (1) What are moral judgments? (2)  How do emotions and cognitions influence moral judgments? (3) Why do moral judment and moral behavior differ?

In addtion, the theoretical insights of moral psychology will be discussed with respect to everyday life, politics and issues in science and technology. Topics that are addressed among others are migration, human dignitiy, patient´s right to know, and  risk management.

The seminar is based on lecutures, video materials, thought experiments, small group interactions, and open discussions.

Written examination, multiple choice format

Arily. D (2010) Denken hilft zwar, nützt aber nichts. München: Knaus

Haidt, J. (2001). The emotional dog and its rational tail: A social intuitionist approach to moral judgment. Psychological Review, 108, 814-834.

Sinnott-Armstrong, W. (Ed.) (2008) Moral psychology –The Cognitive Science of Morality: Intuition and Diversity, Volume 2, The MIT Press, Cambridge